US3207105A

US3207105A - Pattern attachment for tufting machines

Info

Publication number: US3207105A
Application number: US236641A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph L Card; Beruard H Wittler
Original assignee: Singer Co
Current assignee: SPENCER WRIGHT INDUSTRIES Inc A CORP OF TENNESSEE; Singer Co
Priority date: 1962-11-09
Filing date: 1962-11-09
Publication date: 1965-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-21
Also published as: GB975626A

Description

Sept. 21, 1965 J. L. CARD ETAL PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1962 INVENTORS Joseph L. Card Bernard H. Wiffler uar /n Flg.l

A TTORNEY WITNESS mmy Sept. 21, 1965 J. L. CARD Em. 3,207,105

PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Joseph L. Card Bernard H .Wiffler WITNESS Zc/war /O/ ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 J. CARD ETAL PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 9, 1962 INVENTORS Joseph L. Card Bernard H. Wiff/er WITNESS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,207,105 PATTERN ATTACHMENT FOR TUFTING MACHINES Joseph L. Card, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Bernard H.

Wittler, Rossville, Ga., assignors, by mesne assignments,

to The Singer Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 236,641 13 Claims. (Cl. 112-79) The present invention relates to a pattern attachment for tufting machines or, more particularly, to a pattern controlled yarn feeding mechanism for a tufting machine, which mechanism will feed a predetermined length of yarn to different needles to the tufting machine upon each stitch, thereby producing in the article being tufted a pattern defined by variations in the height of the pile.

There are various types of pattern attachments available today, each having certain recognized advantages but also having disadvantages which tend to limit the adaptability of the mechanism to certain circumstances. For example, the desirable characteristics of a pattern attachment include a positive feed of the yarn whereby each yarn will be fed without slipping despite the resistance to pulling the yarn from the spool, which resistance varies between the yarns because of the different distances of the individual yarn spools from the tufting machine. The desirable characteristics of a pattern attachment also include a facility for changing the pattern as well as simple, trouble-free operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a pattern attachment for tufting machines which is an improvement of existing pattern attachments in that it combines the advantages of such existing attachments while minimizing the disadvantages thereof. More particularly, the objects of this invention are to provide a pattern attachment that is universally applicable to a wide range of circumstances that may, exist, that is, a mechanism wherein the means for changing patterns is a simple and inexpensive thereby rendering the same useful on tufting machines where the run of any one pattern is relatively small, wherein the feed of yarn is positive such that the mechanism is useful with small tufting machines where the yarn spools are all relatively close to the machine as well as with large tufting machines Where some of the yarn spools are located at a considerable distance from the machine, and wherein the mechanism is relatively simple and trouble-free in operation.

The mechanism in accordance with this invention comprises basically a pair of intermeshing sets of slats or bars in which the free or yarn engaging edges of the slats of one set are provided with alternating deep and shallow yarn receiving grooves, and there is provided a yarn guide adapted to be shifted between two adjacent grooves. In this manner, the yarn is directed selectively into cooperation with either the shallow or the deep groove and as the slats are advanced, the deflection of the yarn by the slats as they intermesh with the slats of the other set will pull either a large or small amount of yarn and feed it to the tufting mechanism. The yarn guide is adapted to be shifted for example by a solenoid, the energization of which may be by any suitable pattern mechanism such as a pattern drum of electrically conductive material and on which the pattern is placed by an insulating material, which drum is tracked by a finger that is electrically connected to the solenoid.

Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter 3,207,105 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view transversely through a tufting machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the yarn feed members and a movable yarn guide of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view of the yarn feed members and a movable yarn guide of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the yarn feeding mechanism of the machine of FIG. 5.

With reference to the drawings, the illustrated portion of the tufting machine comprises a frame 1 that includes a bed plate 2 over which the backing fabric 3 is moved by the backing fabric feed means which comprises a plurality of cloth feed rolls 4 at the input side of the machine and a pair of cloth feed rolls 5 at the output side. Journaled longitudinally of the frame 1 in the upper portion thereof is a rotary main shaft 6 upon which is mounted an elec trio 7 embraced by the upper end of a link 8. At its lower end the link 8 is connected to an endwise reciprocating rod 9 mounted in a bushing 10 in the frame 1 and carrying at its lower end a needle bar 11. Mounted in the needle bar 11 is a needle 12 which is adapted to be reciprocated through the backing fabric 3 and a needle plate 13 on the bed plate 2 and which supports the backing fabric against the thrust of the needle. Beneath the bed plate 2 there is journaled an oscillating hook shaft 14 which carries a hook 15 that cooperates with the needle 12 in the formation of tufted pile.

It will of course be understood that, in the machine, there are a plurality of sets of needles and cooperating hooks mounted in the needle bar 9 and on the hook shaft 14. However, since each of the needles and hooks are the same, it will be suflicient for this disclosure to describe only one such set.

The yarn 16 from the source is directed to a shiftable yarn guide or finger 17, through a yarn feed mechanism, designated generally 18, through a pair of yarn guides 19 and 19a, over a so-called thread jerker bar 20, carried by the needle bar 11, and through a further guide 21, carried by the needle bar 11 to the needle 12.

The main shaft 6, the hook shaft 14, and the cloth feed rolls 4 and 5 may be driven in any suitable manner (not shown). All of the above may be conventional tufting machine structure and is therefore not more fully described herein. For a more complete description of the mechanism, reference .may be had to the US. patent of Card, 'No. 2,935,037, May 3, 1960.

The yarn feed mechanism 17, which is the subject of this invention, comprises, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14, three yarn feed members in the form of

rolls

22, 23 and 24 secured upon

shafts

25, 26 and 27 journaled in plates 28 carried by the frame 1. Each of the

shafts

25, 26 and 27 are adapted to be driven by drive mechanism (not shown), for example, chains and sprockets, from the main drive of the machine. Because the feed rolls 22, 23 and 24 are of the same diameter, the speeds at which the

shafts

25, 26 and 27 are to be driven would be the same.

The feed roll 22 comprises a hub 29 that is secured to the shaft 25 for rotation by a set screw 30, and is provided on the periphery thereof with a plurality of yarn engaging elements in the form of elongated rectangular slats 31. More particularly, each of the slats 31 are arranged with the long dimension thereof eXtending longitudinally of the feed roll 22 parallel to the axis there-of and are disposed in equally spaced relation angularly about the periphery of the hub 29, and are arranged on edge with the short dimension thereof extending radially from the periphery of the hub 29, thereby defining a free or yarn-engaging edge 32. As ill-ustrated, to secure the slats 31 to the hub 29, the ends of the hub (only one end of which is illustrated) is of enlarged diameter to provide a flange 33 having slats 34 in which the slats 31 are seated and in which they are secured in pairs 'by set screws 35 that are threaded radially into bores 36 of reducing diameter in the flange 33, the flange being split as at 3611 through the axis of the set screws 33 so that the opposed portions of the flange between the screws 35 and the adjacent slats 31 are forced outwardly into clamping engagement with the slats as the screws 33 are turned down.

The slats 31 are all identical and each includes grooves or notches extending inwardly from the free edge 32 thereof, the notches comprising alternating shallow notches 37 and deep notches 38.

The

feed rolls

23 and 24 are the same as the feed roll 22 except that they are provided with slats 39, the slats 39 being the same as the slats 31 except that, instead of the alternating shallow and deep notches 37 and 38, they are provided with a continuous repeating arrangement of shallow notches 40 extending inwardly from the free edge thereof. Alternatively, the slats 39 could of course be provided with V-shaped grooves defining a saw-tooth arrangement.

The notches in each of the

slats

31 and 39 are of equal width and are uniformly spaced along the slats so that all of the corresponding notches in each of the slats are alined in the direction of motion of the slats which is the direction in which the slats are advanced as the rolls are rotated, or more particularly, are alined in a plane normal to the axis of the feed roll.

Since the notches in the slats 31 of the feed roll 22 alternate between the shallow notches 37 and deep notches 38, the alined series of notches about the feed roll 22 are made up of alternating series of shallow and deep notches. The adjacent pairs of alined shallow and deep notches define a single yarn path, that is, a single yarn or group of yarns being handled together are shifted between the notches of the adjacent pair.

The

feed rolls

22, 23 and 24 are arranged triangularly as illustrated in FIG. 4 with the slats 39 of the

feed rolls

23 and 24 intermeshing with the slats 31 of the feed roll 22. A yarn is directed by the finger 17 into one of the notches in the slat 31 of the feed roll 22, which as illustrated in FIG. 4, is one of the deep notches 38. As the feed rolls are rotated, this yarn will remain in the slot into which it has been directed and will be carried into engagement first with the slats 39 of the feed roll 24, being engaged in the notches 40 therein. As the slats 31 of the feed roll 22 inter-mesh progressively with the .slats 39 of the feed roll 24, the yarn is undulated, thereby pulling yarn from the source and as the feed rolls continue to rotate, the engaged portion of the yarn will pass out of cooperation with the feed roll 24 and into cooperation with the feed roll 23, and will subsequently be released to the needle. The amount of yarn that is pulled from the source and subsequently released to the needle depends upon the amount of undulation imparted to the yarn, which in turn depends upon whether the yarn was placed by the finger 17 in one of the deep notches 38, which will produce a relatively small undulation and will therefore pull a relatively small length of yarn from the source, or in one of the shallow notches 37 which will produce a relatively large undulation and will therefore pull a relatively large length of yarn from the source. By shifting the finger 17 back and forth between the shallow and deep notches, there can be obtained any desired combination between the two lengths.

In the usual manner, the amount of yarn released to the needle by means of the shallow notches 37 is made to be substantially equal to the amount of yarn required to form a full length loop, whereas the amount of yarn released to the needle by means of the deep notches 38 is less so that there is not suflicient yarn to form a full length loop, thereby producing a loop that is of less length than the full length loop.

The means for shifting the yarn between the shallow notches 37 and the deep notches 38, which means includes the finger 17, is substantially the same as that disclosed in the above noted Patent No. 2,935,037. Briefly, this mechanism comprises a housing 41 mounted on the frame 1 of the machine and having a plurality of vertically disposed pivot rods 42 mounted on the side thereof, each of said pivot rods 42 carrying one of the fingers 17. Each of the pivot rods 42 has an arm 43 that extends into the housing 41 and is connected with the armature of a solenoid 44 and there is provided a spring 45 for returning the arm to its normal position. Thus, when a solenoid 44 is energized, the finger 17 associated therewith is pivoted to direct the yarn into the example a shallow notch 37 and when the solenoid 44 is de-energized, the spring 45 returns the finger 17 to direct the yarn into a deep notch 38.

The solenoid 44 is energized by a pattern cont-rolled means comprising a rotatable drum 46 mounted on the frame 1 and adapted to be rotated in synchronism with the machine. The drum 46 is made of a conducting material upon the surface of which is placed an insulating material 46a that is laid out to define the desired pattern. There is provided a finger 47 for each of the solenoids 44 (only one of the fingers 47 being illustrated), which fingers engage the periphery of the drum 46 and which are electrically connected as by wires 48 with the respective solenoid. The drum and solenoid are connected to the opposite sides of a source of electrical power. Thus, as the drum 46 rotates, the finger will engage the surface of the drum 46 in those areas where there is no insulating material 4611, thereby energizing the solenoid 44. When the finger 46 is insulated from the drum 46 by the insulating material 46a, the solenoid 44 is de-energized.

The use of a pair of feed rolls 23 and 24 insures a positive feed by providing sufficient friction in the undulation of the yarn to prevent slippage, and at the same time, insures that the roll 24 will draw yarn from the source and not from the work. It will of course 'be apparent that under certain circumstances, a single roll could be used in lieu of the

rolls

23 and 24.

The dimensions, speed and spacing of the feed rolls 22, 23 and 24 may of course be varied. One of the considerations relative to the design of the feed mechanism is that the intermeshing of the

slats

31 and 39 be sufiicient to provide a yarn capacity in accordance with the amount of yarn required by the high and low pile being produced. The diameter of the rolls and the spacing of the slats angularly about the rolls can be determined by space considerations and the necessity of avoiding interference between the slats as they mesh. The speed of the rolls relative to each other would be determined by the relative diameters of the rolls, that is, with rolls of the same dimension as illustrated, the speeds Would be the same. The rolls are driven in synchronism with the machine to deliver prescribed lengths of yarn to the needles upon each stitch.

It will also be apparent that the grooves 40 in the slats 39 of the feed rolls 23 and 24 function as guides which assist in maintaining the yarn in the desired path. Further, with the grooves 40 in the slats 39, the finger 17 could direct the yarn into adjacent grooves 40 in the slats 39 of the feed roll 24 for example rather than into the adjacent grooves 37 and 38 of the slats 31.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrated a modification of the invention in which the yarn engaging elements or slats are mounted on endless, flexible members, i.e., chains, rather than on rolls as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, there is mounted on the frame 1 of the tufting machine a support 49 which carries a pair of cooperating

yarn feed members

50 and 51, in the form of feed chains, each of which comprises a driven sprocket 52 and a pair of idlers 53 about which is run a

chain

54 and 55. The

feed members

50 and 51 are arranged with the run of the

chains

54 and 55 between the idlers 53 spaced and parallel, and there are provided bars 56 backing up the chains in the runs between the idlers 53 to confine them against deflection.

While only a single chain mechanism is shown, it will be understood that a plurality of such chain mechanisms are provided along the length of the machine and extending between the chains 54 of the feed member 50 are yarn engaging elements or slats 57 while extending between the chains 55 of the feed member 51 are yarn engaging elements or slats 58. For the purpose of securing the

slats

57 and 58 to the

chains

54 and 55, the slats may be T-shaped in cross section with the bases 59 thereof secured to arms 60 formed on the links of the chains as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The slats 58 are similar to the slats 31 in that they include a free edge 32a in which is formed inwardly extending notches or grooves 37a and 38a which are shallow and deep respectively and alternate along the length of the slat. The slats 57 are similar to the slats 39 in that they are provided With shallow notches 40a extending inwardly from the free edges thereof.

The operation of the mechanism in accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the same as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 14. The yarn 3 is directed by the finger 17 into cooperation with either one of the deep grooves 38a or one of the shallow grooves 37a, thereby delivering prescribed lengths of yarn to the needles. The advantage of the chain type feed members is that there can be obtained a greater number of the

slats

57 and 58 in mesh, thus providing a more positive feed, and, by using id-lers 53 of relatively small diameter, the slats are turned sharply as they are brought into and out of mesh.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of my invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what We claim herein is:

1. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each consisting of a plurality of spaced and parallel yarn engaging elements having free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said elements in said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, each of the elements of one of said members having a substantially similar arrangement of adjacent pairs of notches extending inwardly from the free edge thereof, said pairs of notches comprising a deep notch and a shallow notch, said elements of said one of said pair of members being arranged with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in the direction of motion of said elements, shiftable yarn guide means for directing a yarn selectively into said shallow notches and said deep notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

2. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each consisting of a plurality of spaced and parallel yarn engaging elements having free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said elements in said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, each of the elements of one of said members having notches extending inwardly from the free edge thereof, said notches comprising alternating deep and shallow notches and being arranged with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in the direction of motion of said elements, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of said notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

3. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each consisting of a plurality of spaced and parallel yarn engaging elements having free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said elements in said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, the elements of one of said members being substantially the same and each having notches extending inwardly from the free edge thereof, said notches comprising alternating deep and shallow notches, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of said notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

4. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each consisting of a plurality of spaced and parallel yarn engaging elements having free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said elements in each of said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, the elements of each of said members being substantially the same as all other elements of that member and the elements of both of said members having notches extending inwardly from the free edges thereof, the notches in the elements of one of said members comprising alternat ing deep and shallow notches and the notches in the elements of the other of said members comprising notches of uniform depth, the corresponding notches in all of said elements of both of said members being alined in the direction of motion of said elements, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of said notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

5. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each being continuous and consisting of a plurality of uniformly spaced and parallel yarn engaging elements having free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said elements in said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, each of the elements of one of said members having notches extending inwardly from the free edge thereof, said notches comprising alternating deep and shallow notches and being arranged with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in the direction of motion of said elements, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of said notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

6. In a tufting machine, a yarn feed mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating yarn feeding members each being continuous and consisting of a plurality of uniformly spaced slats arranged with the long dimensions thereof parallel and extending longitudinally of said member and the short dimensions thereof extending from said members to define free edges, means for mounting said members with a plurality of said slats in each of said members intermeshing and for advancing said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, the slats of one of said members being substantially the same and having alternating deep and shallow notches extending inwardly from the free edges thereof, the slats of the other of said members being substantially the same and having notches of uniform depth extending inwardly from the free edges thereof, the corresponding notches in each of the slats of both of said members being alined in the direction of motion of said slats, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

7. In a tufting machine, a yarn feed mechanism comprising a pair of yarn feed rolls each having a plurality of yarn engaging elements extending radially from the periphery of said roll to define free edges and angularly spaced uniformly about the periphery of said roll, means for mounting said feed rolls with a plurality of said elements intermeshing and for rotating said feed rolls to advance said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, the elements of one of said feed rolls being substantially the same and having alternating deep and shallow notches extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in a plane normal to the axis of said feed roll, shiftable yarn guide means for direct-ing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

8. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism in accordance with claim 7 in which the elements of the other of said members are substantially the same and have notches of uniform depth extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in a plane normal to the axis of said feed roll with each other and with the corresponding notches in the elements of said one member.

9. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism in accordance with claim 7 in which said feed rolls are provided at the ends thereof with flanges having radially extending slots, and said elements comprise slats seated in said slots and in which they are secured by providing splits in said flange between said slots and by means expanding said flange to force the portions thereof between said splits and said slots into clamping engagement with said slats.

10. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising three yarn feed rolls each having a plurality of yarn engaging elements extending radially from the periphery of said roll to define free edges and angularly spaced uniformly about the periphery of said roll, means for mounting said feed rolls with a plurality of the elements of one of said feed rolls intermeshing with the elements of both of the other of said feed rolls and for rotating said feed rolls to advance said elements progres sively in parallel intermeshing relation, the elements of said one of said feed rolls being substantially the same and havingalternating deep and shallow notches extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in a plane normal to the axis of said feed roll, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adja: cent pair of notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

11. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism in accordance with claim 10 in which the elements of both of the other of said feed rolls are substantially the same nad have notches of uniform depth extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in a plane normal to the axis of said feed roll with each other and with the corresponding notches in the elements of said one feed roll.

12. In a tufting machine, a yarn feeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless, flexible members each having a plurality of yarn engaging elements extending therefrom to define free edges and uniformly spaced along said members, means for mounting said members with portions thereof in substantially straight, opposed parallel runs and with the elements within said runs in intermeshing relation and for moving said members to advance said elements progressively in parallel intermeshing relation, the elements of one of said members being substantially the same and having alternating deep and shallow notches extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in the direction of motion of said elements, shiftable yarn guide means for directing yarn into a selected one of an adjacent pair of notches, and pattern controlled means for actuating said shiftable yarn guide means.

13. In a tufting machine, a y-arn feeding mechanism in accordance with claim 12 in which the elements of the other of said members are substantially the same and have notches of uniform depth extending inwardly from the free edges thereof with the corresponding notches in each of said elements alined in the direction of motion of said elements with each other :and with the corresponding notches in the elements of said one member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,550,511 4/51 Williams 151--23 2,853,032. 9/58 Odenweller 112-79.6 2,853,034 9/58 Crawford l12-79.6 2,912,945 11/59 Now-icki 11279.6 2,932,339 4/60 Odenweller 11279 X 2,935,037 5/60 Card 1l279.6

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. THOMAS J. HICKEY, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A TUFTING MACHINE, A YARN FEEDING MECHANISM COMPRISING A PAIR OF COOPERATING YARN FEEDING MEMBERS EACH CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF SPACED AND PARALLEL YARN ENGAGING ELEMENTS HAVING FREE EDGES, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID MEMBERS WITH A PLURALITY OF SAID ELEMENTS IN SAID MEMBER INTERMESHING AND FOR ADVANCING SAID ELEMENTS PROGRESSIVELY IN PARALLEL INTERMESHING RELATION, EACH OF THE ELEMENTS OF ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING A SUSBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT OF ADJACENT PAIRS OF NOTCHES EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE FREE EDGE THEREOF, SAID PAIRS OF NOTCHES COMPRISING A DEEP NOTCH AND A SHALLOW NOTCH, SAID ELEMENTS OF SAID ONE OF SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS BEING ARRANGED WITH THE CORRESPONDING NOTCHES IN EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS ALINED IN THE DIRECTION OF MOTION OF SAID ELEMENTS, SHIFTABLE YARN GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING A YARN SELECTIVELY INTO SAID SHALLOW NOTCHES AND SAID DEEP NOTCHES, AND PATTERN CONTROLLED MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SHIFTABLE YARN GUIDE MEANS.